A law signed by New Jersey Gov. Murphy in his final days in office expands the New Jersey Family Leave Act to smaller employers and lowers the requirements for employee eligibility beginning on or about July 17, 2026. The new law also arguably provides employees who receive Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) or Family Leave Insurance
Katharine C. Weber
Katharine C. Weber is a principal in the Cincinnati, Ohio, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and co-leader of the firm's Disability, Leave and Health Management (DLHM) practice group. She has successfully assisted countless clients in handling their labor and employment issues in both Ohio and Kentucky.
Katharine has experience litigating wrongful discharge cases; managing discrimination cases; negotiating collective bargaining agreements; representing employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other federal, Ohio and Kentucky agencies; advising management on employment relations; drafting employee handbooks; and negotiating severance agreements.
Katharine regularly advises clients on wage and hour issues. Over the past five years she has served as lead counsel on various wage and hour class and collective actions filed in both Ohio and Kentucky involving claims of misclassification, off the clock work, and other violations for which the plaintiffs claimed to be owed substantial overtime.
Additionally, Katharine is extremely knowledgeable in the area of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, and brings sophisticated, yet easy to understand advice on handling and defending against sexual harassment claims. From helping clients analyze options and making recommendations on how to handle employee relations issues, to representing clients in complex discrimination cases, Katharine always provides creative solutions and passionate advocacy for her clients. She is also very involved in the transportation industry and has successfully litigated several cutting-edge employment law cases which have been of great benefit to transportation industry employers.
The 5th Cir. Will Reconsider Whether the PWFA Was Constitutionally Enacted
Late yesterday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the split panel opinion from August allowing enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) against the state of Texas. The issue is whether the U.S. Constitution required House lawmakers’ physical presence to have a quorum when the PWFA was approved as part of the…
California Employers: Update Your Posters
The California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement recently released a revised Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act (HWHFA) poster reflecting recent amendments to the state paid sick leave law. California employers must promptly update their workplace postings. Our California colleagues offer additional insights here.
Minnesota Employers Will Face New Leave Laws in 2026
Minnesota employers should be prepared for significant changes in the leave law landscape in 2026. The statewide Paid Leave program rolls out on Jan. 1, 2026, and Minneapolis and Saint Paul both recently amended their Earned Sick and Safe Time Laws. Our Minnesota colleagues outline key compliance considerations and next steps for employers. Read the…
New Illinois Laws Impact Employer Leave and Accommodation Policies
The Illinois legislature enacted a number of measures in 2025 that will impact employers’ leave and accommodation policies and practices. Employers should be aware of important changes with regard to military leave, blood and organ donation leave, leave to care for a child in neonatal intensive care, and more. Our Illinois colleagues provide a comprehensive…
NYC Expands Earned Safe and Sick Time Act: What Employers Need to Know
Beginning February 22, 2026, amendments to New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act go into effect expanding employee rights and increasing employers’ safe and sick time compliance obligations. Among other things, employers will be required to frontload 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick time to covered employees immediately upon hire and at…
California Paid Family Leave Gets Extended to Cover Leave for Designated Persons
Beginning July 1, 2028, benefits under California’s paid family leave program will be available to eligible employees taking leave to care for a designated person. Read more about this new development from our California colleagues here.
Confirmation of Brittany Panuccio Restores the EEOC Quorum: Changes To The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Regulations Coming Soon
On October 7, 2025, the Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Brittany Panuccio as the third Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Commissioner giving the EEOC the quorum needed to make significant policy changes such as amending or adopting new regulations and guidance.
The EEOC has been patiently waiting until the third EEOC Commissioner was confirmed…
Texas Wants Another Chance to Convince 5th Circuit that the PWFA Was Enacted In A Way That Violates the Constitution
The State of Texas asked the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this week to reconsider its case challenging the validity of the entire Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Texas filed suit against the federal government shortly after President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2022, claiming the PWFA could not be…
Puerto Rico Strengthens Breastfeeding Protections for Workers
Effective August 1, 2025, Puerto Rico’s new Lactation/Breastfeeding Code significantly expands workplace protections for nursing employees. The law guarantees paid lactation breaks, requires dedicated spaces, and imposes penalties for noncompliance.
In a new article, Sara Colón-Acevedo, Karina Rodríguez, and Tatiana Leal-González break down what employers need to know to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Read…